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It’s your money: 10 ways to keep it at tax time

IRS and Michigan tax credits add up to huge savings for those who qualify.

It’s income tax filing season and nearly 8 out of 10 filers receive a refund averaging almost $3,000, according to IRS statistics. The good news is there are many federal and Michigan tax credits to reduce the amount owed and generate significant tax refunds for those eligible.

If you contributed up to $2,000 in your retirement plan or IRA in 2016, you could qualify a Saver’s Credit. For 2017, plan ahead by including regular deposits to your retirement accounts, with the amounts depending on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). For example, if you are married filing jointly earning an adjusted gross income of $50,000, you could earn a tax credit of up to $200 if you put $2,000 into your retirement plan.

2017 Savers Credit

Credit Rate

Married Filing Jointly

Head of Household

Single Filer

50 %

AGI<$37,000

AGI<$27,750

AGI<$18, 500

20 %

$37, 001-$40,000

$27,751-$30,000

$18,501-$20,000

10 %

$40,001-$62,000

$30,001-$46,500

$20,000-$31,000

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides tax breaks for low and moderate income working families and individuals up to $6,645. Michigan also has its own EITC that you can take advantage of.

As a side note, several homeowners contacted our office recently struggling to pay their property taxes. We discovered they were not receiving the Homestead Exemption to lower their local property taxes about 40 percent, even though the home was their primary residence. We advised them to go to their county Assessor’s Office with proof they lived in the home (for example, a utility bill) to file the paperwork asking for up to a three-year credit.

More federal tax credits and deductions that may apply to you are the Federal Child Tax, Child and Dependent Care, and the American Opportunity Tax Credit for College Education. In Michigan, you may be eligible for a Home Heating Credit. These are the most commonly used tax credits you might qualify for when filing your 2016 income taxes.

More saving tips during tax season?

Do not pay to have your taxes done. Find out where you can go for free tax help by visiting www.michiganfreetaxhelp.org or calling 2-1-1.

Do not pay for “rapid refunds”. Keep all your refund money, and do not fall for advertisements claiming your refund may be delayed for weeks or months.

Take time to understand your tax credits for filing your 2016 income tax return. Many participants in Michigan State University Extension’s money management workshops have expressed a difficulty with finding the money to save. By taking advantage of the available tax credits and deductions, you can start off the New Year on the right path to meeting your financial goals. Also check out the tax time saving tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Tax time is also a good time to do a financial check-up. You can take our Financial Health Survey and get your score to learn about ways to improve your financial health. Be sure to check out MSU Extension and MIMoneyHealth.org for great tips on many financial topics plus programs in the Events column.

Related Resources

Irene Hathaway, and Nancy Baker King | People who don't have credit sometimes find it hard to establish. Credit worthiness will be evaluated before you are granted credit. Credit worthiness is determined by your character, capital and capacity.